England international set to make way for Arsenal’s new Starboy
Max Dowman is quickly becoming someone who we no longer need to protect.
If you are old enough, you are good enough, and the 16-year-old is beginning to look like a player Mikel Arteta may soon have to find a regular place for.
Dowman’s latest statement came at Portman Road – scoring twice and playing his part in all four of Arsenal’s goals during a 4-2 Carabao Cup victory over Ipswich Town. It was the sort of performance that makes it increasingly difficult to describe him solely as a player for the future.
And, eventually, that could have consequences for Noni Madueke.
To be clear, this is not a suggestion that Madueke has suddenly become surplus to requirements. The England international scored Arsenal’s second goal against Ipswich and remains an important attacking option.
But football evolves quickly. If Dowman continues to develop at his current rate, there is a strong argument that he could eventually become the player Arsenal turn to in the role Madueke currently occupies.
Madueke’s strengths are obvious. He is quick, direct and willing to take on defenders. His ability to carry the ball at speed gives Arsenal a different threat in wide areas. However he also has glaring weaknesses – inconsistent delivery and too often runs down dark alleys.
Dowman offers something different. And in his cameo’s so far has shown much better decision making.
Rather than relying primarily on pace and power, the teenager looks comfortable receiving the ball between the lines, manipulating defenders and combining with teammates. His close control allows him to operate in tight spaces, while his willingness to drift inside gives Arsenal another creative presence around the penalty area.
That versatility could be particularly valuable for Arteta.
Dowman is not simply a winger who stays on the touchline. He can move into central areas, link play and create overloads. Those qualities fit naturally into an Arsenal side built around movement and positional rotations.
Of course, it would be premature to draw sweeping conclusions from one Carabao Cup performance. However, Dowman is quickly building on what he produced last season.
Still only 16-years-old, we will need to manage his development carefully. The physical and tactical demands of regular Premier League football are significant, particularly for a player so young. But if he is ready, he is ready. And as we have seen with the likes of Wayne Rooney, Cesc Fabregas, Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, a ready 17 year old can be a better option than an estabalished 24-year-old.
What made Dowman’s latest performance so impressive was how composed he looked.
His first goal showed excellent composure in front of goal. His second demonstrated his ability to find space and finish decisively. Most importantly, he looked comfortable playing 90 minutes of senior football.
There has already been considerable excitement around Dowman, with his performances in youth football and pre-season suggesting that he has the technical ability to make the step up. The challenge now is turning flashes of brilliance into consistency.
Interestingly, Madueke’s presence does not necessarily have to prevent Dowman from breaking through. It could actually help him.
Arteta will have the luxury of continuing to introduce Dowman gradually rather than throwing him into every Premier League match. That means Dowman can continue to learn, adapt to the demands of first-team football and take advantage of favourable situations without carrying the entire responsibility of Arsenal’s attack.
The pecking order will still be Bukayo Saka, Madueke and then Dowman. But as Dowman continues to develop, produces decisive moments and proves that he can handle the physical and tactical demands of senior football, Arteta could eventually face a very appealing selection dilemma.
And the most realistic scenario will be Madueke leaving at the end of the season.
Dowman is 16. His development will not be completely linear, and Arsenal will need to protect him from the enormous expectations that already surround his name. But his trajectory is difficult to ignore.
After his performance against Ipswich, Dowman has given Arteta another reason to consider him.
For now, Madueke remains the established first-team player with the responsibility of delivering.
But we have seen this story before with Bukayo Saka – who had Arsenal record signing Nicholas Pepe ahead of him.
If Max Dowman keeps performing like this, Arteta will make the same decision as he did previously.
And there is a part two to this story. Come 2027/28, Dowman should be hot on the heels of Saka. Bukayo will be coming up to his 27th birthday, Dowman still just 18. Will we see a changing of the guard in 2028?